COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat College softball team went on the road for a crucial Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon, going up against the Columbia College Koalas. The Cavaliers came away with two wins on the day, sweeping the hosts with victories in game one, 11-4, and game two, 8-2. As a result, the Cavs improved to 15-21 (7-15 AAC) on the year, while CC fell to 18-22 (6-16 AAC).
Scoring came early for both squads in the opener. Aaliyah Penalber, who reached via a leadoff single, scored on an RBI double from Jasmine Rachal. Meanwhile, in their half of the first, the Koalas hit a leadoff homer to match Montreat at 1-1. More of the same occurred in the second. Isabella Martinez got on base after walking to begin the inning, and she was brought home when Penalber singled to center field. Columbia responded once again, though, capitalizing on a fielding error to bring the score back to even, 2-2.
A five-run fifth helped the Cavaliers break the game wide open. Hannah Henderson scored on a throwing error after kicking off the frame with a single. Penalber later scored on a base knock from Rachal. Marleigh Carswell, pinch-hitting, drove in Nadilyn Eason with an RBI single, and Abigail Wyatt singled in Rachal. The final run of the inning and a 7-2 Cavs' lead came thanks to an RBI groundout off the bat of Martinez.
The Koalas narrowed the gap in the sixth inning with a two-RBI base hit, but Montreat still maintained a 7-4 edge with one frame remaining.
In the final inning, the Cavaliers added some insurance. Nevaeh Rivera delivered the knockout blow, blasting a three-run bomb to left field. Penalber added on one more with an RBI double, bringing home Henderson. As a result, the Cavs secured an 11-4 victory over the Koalas.
Lauryn Bishop delivered a complete-game performance from the circle, pitching all seven innings. She allowed six hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Bishop recorded a career-high six strikeouts and issued just one walk.
Penalber went 4-for-4 at the plate, tallying two RBIs, two runs and three stolen bases. Rivera contributed with a long ball to notch three RBIs. Rachal added two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs to bolster the lineup. Wyatt also had two knocks while driving in one run.
Game two of the twin bill got off to a similar start for the Cavs. Eason reached safely on a base hit, and then she capitalized on an error and a wild pitch to come around and score, handing Montreat an immediate 1-0 lead.
Columbia answered back the very next inning, evening the game with an RBI single. CC then took a 2-1 lead in the third thanks to a sacrifice fly.
With bases loaded in the fourth, Wyatt came through for the Cavaliers, lofting a fly ball deep enough for Eason to tag up and score. Both sides remained level at 2-2 through four frames.
The visitors seized momentum in the fifth inning. Rachal drove in two teammates with a base hit, and Carswell added another with a sac fly, extending the visitors' lead to 5-2.
Montreat sealed the win with three more runs in the top of the seventh. Wyatt's RBI single and Bre Speight's two-RBI base knock were enough to get the job done. The game finished with the Cavaliers in front, 8-2.
Olivia Bezjak got the start for the Cavs, pitching two innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Gabby Burkhart took over as the relief pitcher and hurled five scoreless innings. The freshman surrendered only two hits and three walks while striking out a pair.
Eason contributed significantly to the offense by scoring three runs and collecting two hits. Rachal drove in two runs, and she also recorded a hit and a run. Speight was effective with the bases loaded, registering two RBIs. Wyatt rounded it out with a hit and two more RBIs.
Looking ahead, Montreat is set to host Carolina University on Saturday, April 11, at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C. The Cavaliers plan to celebrate senior day after game one, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET.
